Hans News Service Vijayawada

Withtemperatures rising sharply across Andhra Pradesh and several towns recording between 42 and 46 degrees Celsius, director general of police Harish Kumar Gupta has initiated special welfare measures to protect traffic police personnel who are working for long hours under extreme heat conditions.

Recognising the health risks faced by traffic personnel managing roads and junctions in scorching temperatures, the DGP has sanctioned nearly Rs.48 lakh for the immediate procurement of protective equipment and welfare materials for traffic police staff across the state.

The funds are being released from the police department budget, and instructions have already been issued to the finance wing for immediate allocation. Harish Kumar Gupta stated that the health and safety of police personnel on duty are of utmost importance and assured that there would be no compromise in ensuring their welfare and protection.

Under this initiative, traffic personnel will be provided with UV protection goggles to shield their eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, white caps to reduce direct heat exposure on the head, ORS packets to replenish salts and fluids lost due to excessive sweating, water bottles to prevent dehydration, and face masks to protect them from dust and pollution emitted by vehicles.

A total of 3,192 traffic personnel across Andhra Pradesh are expected to benefit from the programme. The beneficiaries include traffic constables, head constables and sub-inspectors deployed at busy traffic junctions, national highways, bus stands, railway stations and major urban centres.

The DGP directed all police commissionerates and district SPs to immediately utilise the sanctioned funds, complete the procurement process on priority and ensure quick distribution of the materials to all units. Senior officers have been entrusted with monitoring the implementation of the programme.

Traffic police personnel have welcomed the initiative and expressed gratitude towards the DGP for recognising the difficulties faced by field staff during the intense summer season.